Jewel provided with one or more accessory elements reversibly couplable thereto

ABSTRACT

A jewel includes a bracelet and a pendant reversibly attachable to the bracelet at an end. The pendant includes an ornamental element connected to a pin at a first end, and an elongated coupling transversally connected to the pin at a second end. An O-ring is on the pin between the coupling and the ornamental element. The bracelet is integrally connected to a block, including a cavity accommodating the coupling, and an opening crossable by the coupling by inserting it into the cavity. The O-ring is compressed between the block and the ornamental element when the coupling is inserted into the cavity. One inserts the coupling into the cavity and rotates the pendant so the coupling is arranged transversally to the opening of the block. The O-ring keeps the coupling against the portion of block delimiting the opening, preventing relative rotation between the pendant and the block.

APPLICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is applied in the jewels field, that is, ofornaments which can be worn by a person at one or more parts of his/herbody. Among the most widely used jewels are, by way of example,ornamental bracelets, necklaces, earrings and ankle bracelets.

In general, the jewels can be divided in two categories: jewelsqualified as “minimalist” and jewels qualified as “accessorized”. Theminimalist jewels exclusively comprise elements which are directlyattachable to a part of a person's body.

The accessorized jewels, instead, in addition to the above-mentionedconnection elements, comprise accessory elements usually of aestheticnature. An example of a minimalist jewel is represented by a braceletexclusively consisting of a cylindrical body which is sufficiently largeto be wearable at a wrist by inserting a hand therein. An example of anaccessorized jewel is represented instead by a bracelet comprising, inaddition to the above-mentioned cylindrical body, a plurality of charms(i.e., accessory elements) coupled thereto.

Of the two jewel categories mentioned above, the present inventionrelates to that comprising jewels of the accessorized type. Inparticular, the present invention relates to accessorized jewels ofcustomizable type, that is, to accessorized jewels the accessoryelements of which are attachable and unattachable from the jewel for anindefinite number of times, so as to be interchangeable by a user. Forease of presentation, in the following description, the term “jewel”will be exclusively referred to accessorized jewels of theabove-mentioned type.

More precisely, the present invention relates to a jewel comprising atleast a first element which is directly attachable to a part of aperson's body, and at least a second accessory element which isreversibly couplable to said first element. Incidentally, the adverb“reversibly” means that the accessory element is couplable anduncouplable from said first element for an indefinite number of times.

REVIEW OF THE PRIOR ART

Customizable jewels generally comprise a plurality of pendants or charmswhich are reversibly couplable to an element (such as, for example, abracelet or a necklace) which is directly attachable to a part of aperson's body. For ease of description, referring to a bracelet which iscustomizable by a plurality of interchangeable pendants, the reversibleconnection between the pendants and the bracelet is generally madeaccording to two modes.

The first mode consists in providing the bracelet with a plurality ofsmall rings, and each pendant with a tiny hook which can be insertedinto any one of the above-mentioned rings. The insertion of a hook intoa ring creates a coupling between the bracelet and the pendant to whichsaid hook is connected. In order to avoid an undesired detachmentbetween the pendants and the bracelet, the hooks are usually providedwith a closing tooth movable between a first position in which the hookis open (and is therefore insertable into a ring) and a second positionin which the hook is closed. A spring is usually present in each pendantto keep the tooth in the second position. In order to couple a pendantto the bracelet it is therefore necessary to move the tooth of the hook,provided in the pendant, to the first position, insert the hook into aring of the bracelet while keeping the tooth in the first position, andrelease the tooth so that the spring triggers it into the secondposition, so as to prevent the hook from be uncoupled from the ring. Inorder to uncouple a pendant from the bracelet (for example, in order toreplace it with another pendant), it is necessary to move the tooth ofthe hook, provided in the pendant, to the first position, remove thehook from the ring where it is inserted while keeping the tooth in thefirst position, and release the tooth so that the spring triggers itinto the second position.

The second mode of connecting the bracelet to a pendant consists increating a threaded coupling therebetween. More precisely, the braceletshaving this connection mode are provided with a plurality of blocks,each of which comprises at least one threaded hole. Each pendant isfurther provided with a threaded pin which can be coupled to any one ofthe above-mentioned holes. Screwing a pin in one of the above-mentionedholes creates a connection between the bracelet and the pendant to whichsaid pin is connected. In order to disconnect a pendant from thebracelet it is sufficient to unscrew it from the block to which it isscrewed.

Both connection modes described above have some drawbacks.

As regards the first mode, the very small size of the hooks of thependants and of the rings of the bracelet makes the operation ofinserting a hook into a ring highly difficult. In addition, although theclosing teeth of the hooks prevent an undesired removal of the latterfrom the rings of the bracelet, the closing teeth cannot be easilygripped or moved from the second position to the first position. Thepresence of closing teeth thus complicates the operations of couplingand uncoupling a pendant from the bracelet.

On the other hand, as regards the second connection mode, the operationsof screwing and unscrewing a pendant from the bracelet are certainlyeasier than inserting and removing a hook from a ring of the bracelet.On the contrary, however, the pendants are free from mechanisms whichprevent an undesired disconnection thereof from the bracelet. Therefore,the risk of losing a pendant while the bracelet is worn is high.

While the two connection modes described above were described withreference to a bracelet which is customizable by means of a plurality ofinterchangeable pendants, they are substantially applied to allcustomizable accessorized jewels, to create a reversible couplingbetween an element which is directly attachable to a person's body partand an accessory element of the jewel. Therefore, the drawbackshighlighted above generally occur in all the customizable accessorizedjewels.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome theabove-mentioned drawbacks providing a customizable accessorized jewelthe accessory elements of which, while being provided with meanspreventing them from being undesirably detached from the jewel, are moreeasily attachable and unattachable from the jewel as compared to thejewels which have the above-mentioned first connection mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a jewel comprising:

-   -   at least a first element, referred to as a “main element”, which        is attachable to a part of a person's body. Said first element        may consist, by way of example, of a bracelet, necklace, earring        or ankle bracelet;    -   at least a second element, referred to as an “accessory        element”, which is attachable to said first element through        suitable reversible connection means. Said second element may        consist, by way of example, of a pendant, charm or portion        thereof,        where, according to the invention, said reversible connection        means comprise:    -   a pin integrally connected to said second element at a first        end;    -   an elongated coupling connected transversely to said pin at a        second end opposite to said first end, said coupling including        at least two mutually opposite arms with respect to said pin;    -   at least one block for fitting said coupling, connected to said        first element, said block including:        -   a seat for accommodating said coupling;        -   an opening through which said coupling can be inserted into            said seat, said seat being sufficiently wide to allow a            rotation of said coupling about a longitudinal axis of said            pin when said coupling is accommodated into said seat,    -   said opening being elongated in shape so as not to be crossable        by said coupling when the latter is arranged transversely to        said opening;    -   elastic means connected to said pin and interposed between said        coupling and said second element, said elastic means being        compressed between said block and said second element when said        coupling is accommodated into said seat, so as to exert a force        tending to cause said coupling to escape from said seat.

In the jewel of the invention, in order to connect the accessory elementto the main element, it is simply necessary:

-   a) to insert the coupling into the seat of the block (through said    opening);-   b) to rotate the accessory element so that the coupling is arranged    transversely to said opening.

By inserting the coupling into the block, the elastic means arecompressed. After having arranged the coupling transversely to saidopening, the elastic means, tending to be decompressed, keep the arms ofthe coupling in abutment against to the block portion which delimitssaid opening. The friction between the coupling and the block is such asto prevent an undesired rotation therebetween, so as to integrallyconnect the accessory element to the main element.

In order to remove the coupling from the block, and therefore disconnectthe accessory element from the main element, it is necessary:

-   a) to rotate the accessory element (overcoming the friction between    the coupling and the block) far enough so that the coupling is    aligned to said opening (so as to be able to cross it);-   b) to remove the coupling from the block.

In light of the above, in the jewel of the invention, the accessoryelement is advantageously attachable to the main element with the sameease which characterizes the threaded coupling mentioned above (secondknown connection mode). Furthermore, the elastic means prevent aninvoluntary disconnection between the two elements mentioned above,advantageously with the same safety offered by the closing teeth of thehook-and-ring connection systems (first known connection mode). In otherwords, the jewel of the invention combines the advantages of the twoconnection modes previously described, thus overcoming the respectiveflaws thereof.

The elastic means preferably comprise at least one elastomeric ring(known also as an “o-ring”) threaded onto said pin.

For the avoidance of doubt, the assertion that the jewel comprises ablock integrally connected to the main element may equally mean that themain element comprises a portion, referred to as a “block”, where a seatfor accommodating the coupling of the accessory element is obtained.

Other innovative features of the present invention are shown in thefollowing description and recalled in the dependent claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, the above-mentioned connectionmeans further comprise:

-   -   means for stopping a rotation of the coupling about the        longitudinal axis of the pin when said coupling accommodated        into said seat is arranged transversely to said opening.

Advantageously, due to the presence of the stopping means, when a userof the jewel wants to connect an accessory element to the main element,once the coupling has been inserted into the seat of the block, saiduser should not give attention to place the coupling transversely tosaid opening. In fact, the abovementioned stopping means stop therotation of the coupling in the position so that the latter isimprisoned in the block. Therefore, on the one hand, the stopping meansmake the operation of coupling an accessory element to the main elementof the jewel even easier, and on the other hand further ensure theavoidance of involuntarily uncoupling the accessory element from themain element.

The stopping means preferably comprise at least one tooth associated tosaid portion of the block delimiting said seat. The tooth protrudes intosaid seat and is positioned so as to intercept one of the arms of thecoupling during a rotation of the latter about the longitudinal axis ofsaid pin.

The invention also relates to a jewel comprising:

-   -   an element which is attachable to a part of a person's body;    -   at least one block connected to said element and including:        -   a cavity delimited by at least one wall of said block;        -   an elongated opening obtained in said wall to allow access            to said cavity;        -   at least one stopping tooth protruding from said wall into            said cavity transversely to said opening.

The invention further relates to an accessory element which isattachable to a jewel by means of connection means comprising:

-   -   a pin integrally connected to said accessory element at a first        end;    -   an elongated coupling connected transversely to said pin at a        second end opposite to said first end, said coupling including        at least two mutually opposite arms with respect to said pin;    -   an elastomeric ring crossed by said pin, so as to be interposed        between said coupling and said accessory element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of an exemplaryembodiment thereof and from the accompanying drawings, given by way ofnon-limiting example, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front plan view of a jewel according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a front plan view of a first element of the jewel in FIG.1;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show respective plan views of a second element ofthe jewel in FIG. 1 which is attachable to the element in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a front plan view of a component of the element in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show, in sequence, the operations needed to connectthe element in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C to the element in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the present description, for ease of presentation, reference will bemade to only one exemplary embodiment of the invention, where the jewelcomprises a bracelet, as a main element, and a pendant including analphabet letter, as an accessory element. However, the jewel of theinvention is not limited to the above-mentioned example. It may compriseany main element which is attachable to a part of a person's body, andany accessory element which is reversibly attachable to the mainelement, provided that said elements are provided with reversibleconnection means according to the above.

Below, in the present description, a figure may also be shown withreference to elements not explicitly indicated in that figure but inother figures. The scale and proportions of the various depictedelements do not necessarily correspond to the real ones.

FIG. 1 shows a jewel 1 of the invention comprising a bracelet 2 which ispreferably circumference arc-shaped, and a pendant 3 connected tobracelet 2 at an end 4 thereof. More precisely, pendant 3 comprises anornamental element 5 (better seen in FIG. 3A) shaped, by way of example,as the letter “A” and engaged in a block 6 integrally connected to theend 4 of bracelet 2. The latter was previously referred to as a “mainelement” of jewel 1, i.e., as an element which is attachable to aperson's body part. The ornamental element 5 was previously referred toas an “accessory element” of jewel 1, i.e., as an element which isreversibly attachable to the main element 1. As it will be betterdescribed below in the present description, pendant 3 is reversiblyengaged in block 6, i.e., it is unattachable from the latter. This makesthe jewel 1 a customizable accessorized jewel.

FIG. 2 shows jewel 1 without pendant 3, i.e., the bracelet 2 along withthe block 6. The latter is preferably cubic or rectangularparallelepiped-shaped and is integrally connected to bracelet 2preferably orthogonally to the latter. Block 6 is hollow, so as to allowto at least partially accommodate pendant 3 therein.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show, in detail, pendant 3. The latter comprises adisc 10 of small size with respect to the ornamental element 5 andintegrally connected to the latter at the vertex of the “A”. Disc 10 ispreferably arranged orthogonally to the plane where element 5 lies.Pendant 3 also comprises a pin 11 integrally connected to disc 10 (and,by means of this, to element 5) at a first end 12. The pin 11 ispreferably cylindrical and is connected to disc 10 preferablyorthogonally to the latter and more preferably so that disc 10 and pin11 are coaxial. The pin 11 has a height preferably greater than thethickness of disc 10 but clearly smaller than the height of element 5.The pin 11, at a second end 13 opposite to end 12, is integrallyconnected to a short bar 14 preferably arranged parallel to disc 10 andtherefore orthogonally to pin 11. The bar 14 is connected to the end 13of pin 11 preferably centrally, so as to impart a substantially T shapeto the assembly consisting of pin 11 and bar 14. Therefore, the bar 14comprises two arms 14A and 14B opposite to each other with respect topin 11 and corresponding to the two top arms of the “T”, respectively.The arms 14A and 14B are preferably aligned to each other, arepreferably arranged orthogonally to pin 11, and are preferably roundedat the ends thereof opposite to pin 11. The bar 14 has a lengthpreferably smaller than the diameter of disc 10. As will be shown belowin the present description, bar 14 acts as a coupling, having anelongated shape, by means of which pendant 3 can be engaged in block 6.

With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, it may be noted that pendant 3also comprises a ring 15 threaded onto pin 11 so as to be interposedbetween disc 10 and coupling 14. More precisely, ring 15 has a throughhole in which pin 11 crosses the ring 15. Said through hole has adiameter both smaller than the diameter of disc 10 and smaller than thelength of bar 14, so that the ring 15 cannot be removed from pin 11 (andis thus connected to the latter). The ring 15 is preferably made of anelastically deformable material, more preferably of elastomericmaterial. Even more preferably, ring 15 is a ring generally referred toas an “o-ring”. The ring 15 has a thickness preferably smaller than thelength of pin 11 so that a portion of the latter protrudes from ring 15.

FIG. 4 shows a side plan view of block 6, i.e., from the side at whichthe connection with pendant 3 occurs. Block 6 includes a cavity 16,preferably cubic or rectangular parallelepiped in shape, at which thecoupling 14 can be accommodated. The cavity 16 is accessible through anopening 17 obtained at a wall 18 of block 6 facing the pendant 3 inFIG. 1. The opening 17 preferably has the same shape as the coupling 14but is slightly larger in size, so that the latter may be inserted intocavity 16 though the opening 17. The cavity 16 has a volume greater thanthe overall dimensions of coupling 14. More precisely, cavity 16 issufficiently wide to allow a rotation of coupling 14 about alongitudinal axis 19 of pin 11 (shown in FIG. 3B) when the coupling 14is accommodated into said cavity 16. Since opening 17 has the same shapeas coupling 14, it is elongated like the latter. As a result, when thecoupling 14 is arranged transversally to opening 17, the latter cannotbe crossed by coupling 14. Therefore, when the coupling 14 isaccommodated into the cavity 16, if the coupling 14 is arrangedtransversally to the opening 17, the coupling 14 cannot be removed fromblock 6. In other words, when the coupling 14 is accommodated into thecavity 16 and is arranged transversally to the opening 17, pendant 3 isconnected to block 6 and, through the latter, to bracelet 2.

Preferably, the cavity 16 has a height (measured in the direction ofaxis 19) greater than the thickness of the arms 14A and 14B (alsomeasured in the direction of axis 19). Therefore, coupling 14 can beinserted into the cavity 16 so that the arms 14A and 14B are raised withrespect to the wall portion 18 which delimits the opening 17. As it willbe described hereafter, this is an advantage during the operations ofconnecting and disconnecting pendant 3 from block 6. The ring 15 ofpendant 3 has a thickness greater than the distance between wall 18 anddisc 10 when the coupling 14 is inserted into the cavity 16. As aresult, ring 15 is compressed between wall 18 and disc 10 when thecoupling 14 is accommodated into the block 6. Advantageously, when thecoupling 14 is inserted into the cavity 16 and is arranged transversallyto the opening 17, ring 15 exerts a force tending to cause the coupling14 to escape from block 6. Therefore, the arms 14A and 14B of coupling14 are in abutment against the wall portion 18 which delimits opening17. This creates a friction such as to prevent a between coupling 14 andwall 18, so as to integrally connect pendant 3 to block 6.

The block 6 preferably includes a pair of teeth 20 and 21 which protrudeinto the cavity 16 from the wall portion 18 which delimits the opening17. The teeth 20 and 21 are placed so as to intercept the arms 14A and14B during a rotation of coupling 14, accommodated into the cavity 16,about axis 19. More precisely, the teeth 20 and 21 stop a rotation ofcoupling 14 when the latter, being accommodated into the cavity 16, isarranged transversally to the opening 17. Although two teeth 20 and 21are shown in FIG. 4, the jewel of the invention could also comprise asingle tooth positioned so as to intercept arm 14A or arm 14B when thecoupling 14, rotating about axis 19 within the cavity 16, is arrangedtransversally to the opening 17.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show the operations needed to connect pendant 3 tobracelet 2. More precisely, in order to obtain said connection, thefollowing steps are required:

-   a) orienting the pendant 3 so that coupling 14 is arranged parallel    to the opening 17, and inserting coupling 14 into the cavity 16 of    block 6 (as shown in FIG. 5A), compressing the ring 15 between wall    18 and disc 10. Coupling 14 is preferably inserted into the cavity    16 so that the arms 14A and 14B are raised with respect to the wall    portion 8 which delimits the opening 17;-   b) rotating pendant 3 about axis 19 (as shown in FIG. 5B) until    coupling 14, in abutment against the teeth 20 and 21, is arranged    transversally to the opening 17 (as shown in FIG. 5C).

The ring 15, tending to decompress, sends the arms 14A and 14B ofcoupling 14 in abutment against the wall portion 18 which delimits theopening 17. This creates a friction such as to prevent an undesiredrotation between coupling 14 and wall 18, so as to integrally connectpendant 3 to block 6.

Advantageously, during step b), since the arms 14A and 14B are raisedfrom the wall portion 18 which delimits the opening 17, there is nofriction between coupling 14 and block 6 which opposes the rotation ofpendant 3.

In contrast, in order to disconnect pendant 3 from bracelet 2, thefollowing steps are needed:

-   a) pushing pendant 3 towards block 6 so as to further cause the    coupling 14 to penetrate the cavity 16 (compressing ring 15 even    more). Thereby, the arms 14A and 14B are raised from the wall    portion 18 of block 6 which delimits the opening 17;-   b) rotating the pendant 3 so that the coupling 14 is aligned to the    opening 17, so as to be able to cross it;-   c) removing coupling 14 from block 6.

In light of the above, pin 11, coupling 14, ring 15 and block 16 act asreversible connection means between the ornamental element 5 and thebracelet 2.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown above, block 6 isconnected to bracelet 2 at an end thereof (indicated, in the figures, byreference numeral 4). However, block 6 may be in any position alongbracelet 2. The latter may also comprise a plurality of blocks 6.

According to a variation of the jewel of the invention, the connectionbetween coupling 14 and pin 11 comprises a hinge or small ring, so thatthe ornamental element 5, instead of being integrally connected tocoupling 14, is oscillating with respect to the latter (and thus withrespect to bracelet 2).

Similar to jewel 1, both pendant 3 (comprising the ornamental element 5,the pin 11, the coupling 14 and the ring 15) and the assembly consistingof bracelet 2 and block 6 (the latter including cavity 16, opening 17and optionally one or both of the teeth 20 and 21) form the subject ofthe invention.

Based on the description provided for a preferred exemplary embodiment,it is obvious that some changes may be introduced by those skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined bythe following claims.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A jewel (1) comprising: at least a first element(2) attachable to a part of a person's body; at least a second element(5) attachable to said first element (2) through reversible connectionmeans (6, 11, 14, 15, 20, 21), said connection means (6, 11, 14, 15, 20,21) comprising: a pin (11) integrally connected to said second element(5) at a first end (12); an elongated coupling (14) connectedtransversely to said pin (11) at a second end (13) opposite to saidfirst end (12), said coupling (14) including at least two arms (14A,14B) opposite each other with respect to said pin (11); at least oneblock (6), for fitting said coupling (14), connected to said firstelement (2), said block (6) including: a seat (16) for accommodatingsaid coupling (14); an opening (17) through which said coupling (14) canbe inserted into said seat (16), said seat (16) being sufficiently wideto allow a rotation of said coupling (14) around a longitudinal axis(19) of said pin (11) when said coupling (14) is accommodated into saidseat (16), said opening (17) being elongated in shape so as not to becrossable by said coupling (14) when the latter is arranged transverselyto said opening (17), wherein said connection means (6, 11, 14, 15, 20,21) comprise also: an elastomeric ring (15) fitted on said pin (11) andcompressed between said block (6) and said second element (5) when saidcoupling (14) is accommodated into said seat (16) so as to exert a forcetending to cause said coupling (14) to escape from said seat (16).
 12. Ajewel (1) according to claim 11, wherein said arms (14A, 14B) arearranged orthogonally to said pin (11).
 13. A jewel (1) according toclaim 12, wherein said arms (14A, 14B) are aligned with each other. 14.A jewel (1) according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of said arms(14A, 14B) is smaller than the height of said seat (16), said thicknessand said height being measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis(19) of said pin (11).
 15. A jewel (1) according to claim 11, whereinsaid connection means (6, 11, 14, 15, 20, 21) further comprise: means(20) for stopping a rotation of said coupling (14) around thelongitudinal axis (19) of said pin (11) when said coupling (14)accommodated into said seat (17) is arranged transversely to saidopening (17).
 16. A jewel according to claim 15, wherein said stoppingmeans (20, 21) comprise at least one tooth (20, 21) associated to aportion (18) of said block (6) that delimits said seat (16), said tooth(20, 21) being protruding within said seat (16) so as to intercept oneof said arms (14A, 14B) during a rotation of said coupling (14) aroundthe longitudinal axis (19) of said pin (11).